Knaresborough in North Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Blind Jack

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 18, 2025

1. Blind Jack Marker

Inscription. Blind Jack of Knaresborough (John Metcalf) was born in 1717 in a cottage whose garden adjoined the churchyard. Though blinded by smallpox at the age of six, he became famous as a musician, guide, horseman, trader and pioneer builder of roads. He died in 1810 and is buried in Spofforth churchyard.

Erected 2007 by Knaresborough Civic Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1717.

Location. 54° 0.555′ N, 1° 28.301′ W. Marker is in Knaresborough, England, in North Yorkshire. It is on Waterside. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13 Waterside, Knaresborough, England HG5 9AE, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in England’s Yorkshire & The Humber.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker: The Mitre (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Knaresborough Station (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Nidd Gorge (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Courthouse (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The King's Tower (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Knaresborough Castle (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); World War I Centenary Commemoration (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Knaresborough Market (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knaresborough.

Also see . . . John Metcalf (civil engineer) (Wikipedia). Overview:

John Metcalf (15 August 1717 – 26 April 1810), known as Blind Jack of Knaresborough or Blind Jack Metcalf, was an English road builder, the first professional road builder to emerge during the Industrial Revolution. Blind from the age of six, Metcalf had an eventful life, which was documented by his own account just before his death. He was an accomplished diver, swimmer, card player and fiddler, but was better known for the period between 1765 and 1792 when he built about 180 miles (290 km) of turnpike road, mainly in the north of England and as
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 18, 2025

2. Sculpture of Blind Jack, Town Centre
Note that the statue is not particularly close to the blue plaque.
such, he became known as one of the fathers of the modern road.

(Submitted on July 7, 2025.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 85 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 5, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.